The vice president and minister of Women’s Affairs Monday received officials of the National Organising Committee of the National Wrestling Championship and the Ecowas Federation of Business Women and Entrepreneurs (Ecowas FEDWE) Gambia Chapter.

The Ecowas FEDWE officials were at State House to brief Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy on the forthcoming launch of the Gambia chapter to be held on the 29th June, 2012 at Sunswing Hotel.

Speaking at the meeting, Ndey Conteh-Jallow, the president of the Ecowas FEDWE Gambia Chapter said the launching is expected to be graced by the mother of the Ecowas FEDWE Gambia Chapter and chief patroness of the day, Her Excellency the First Lady of the Republic, Madam Zainab Yahya Jammeh. She also revealed that the Federation was formed by the private sector of the Ecowas Commission in Ghana 2009.

Conteh-Jallow further told VP Njie-Saidy that each of the Ecowas member states has a federation. She added that the Banjul launching will be attended by all the national federations and representatives of the Ecowas Commission. She said that apart from the launching, Ecowas FEDWE Gambia Chapter in collaboration with the National Organising Committee of the National Wrestling Championship on 30th July will stage a wrestling competition at the Independence Stadium which will bring together wrestlers from Senegal and The Gambia. She explained that some of the proceeds derived from the competition will be used to assist their members in the rural areas to buy seeds for the rainy season.

On her part, VP Njie-Saidy thanked the members and assured them of government’s support. She then presented them with a cash amount D10, 000 as part of her contribution towards the launching. She reminded them that President Jammeh likes wrestling, and urged everyone to join hands in promoting the game.

Abdou Sylon, the chairman of the organising committee of the National Wrestling Championship also briefed the vice president on the level of preparedness towards the event. He assured her that the committee will work closely with the Ecowas FEDWE to ensure a successful competition. He said all the regions will participate in the championship and went on to thank President Jammeh for his efforts in reviving back such a traditional game.

Also present at the meeting were the minister of Youth and Sports, Alieu K Jammeh; the Ag. permanent secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Culture Momodou, Joof; and the deputy speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Fatou Mbye among others.